Underdog Battle Royale Rankings Week 8
Quarterbacks:
Sleepers: Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, Kirk Cousins, Brock Purdy, Matt Stafford, Gardner Minshew
I see QBs in this slate basically in two main camps. Mahomes thru Tagovailoa, and then everyone else. In the first tier of four QBs, there is a great case for all 4 of them. Mahomes, Hurts and Tua have already had these match-ups, and all look to be even better now. Jackson is facing a bad Cardinals defense, he just put up 30+ points vs a top Lions defense. Obviously, you want to try to stack one of these QBs, but taking them on their own might still be the right call. If a couple put up 30-35 points that’s what you want regardless if you have the stacking partner.
Now if you miss out on the big four I don’t think all is lost. Lawrence and Prescott are both a part of strong offenses, but just either haven’t had the TD come through the air, or they settle for FGs. That’s what people were saying about Mahomes prior to last week. Cousins is coming off a strong game and I think should have some play, especially if you land Hockenson or Addison. Stroud has looked great for a rookie, and had a fantastic match-up against the Panthers coming off a bye. This sets up well for a major fantasy breakout for him as well. The other QBs on this list all have the upside, but probably just a tougher road to get there.
Running Backs:
- Chrisitan McCaffrey
- Travis Etienne Jr.
- Breece Hall
- Tony Pollard
- Alvin Kamara
- Raheem Mostert
- Isiah Pacheco
- D’Andre Swift
- Bijan Robinson
- Saquon Barkley
- Jonathan Taylor
- Kareem Hunt
Sleepers: Derrick Henry, Kenneth Walker III, Gus Edwards, Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Najee Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson
With a full slate of games, I still think navigating the RB field is going to be the key to this week. CMC, Etienne, Hall, and Pollard really stand out as the top backs on the slate. I think all are in position for 20+ UD points, with an upside for 30 with multiple TDs. Hall has a slight concern given that the Jets offense as a whole is the weakest of the bunch, so scoring chances are likely less, but the talent and big play ability keep him in this group.
Kamara, Mostert, Pacheco, Swift, and Bijan Robinson make up the next group that is almost as strong. Kamara’s targets have been so impressive, but there has been some coach speak of working in the other backs a bit more. Mostert and Pacheco did well in these match-ups previously, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them as quality scorers again. The x-factor here though is Bijan Robinson. If last week was just a fluke, and he really is good to go for his normal workload, you could be getting a top 3-4 back so much later. On paper, it’s a tough match-up vs the Titans, but a healthy Robinson would be a major threat to them.
As for the rest, I do think Kareem Hunt is interesting, assuming Jerome Ford is out. Gus Edwards could have a 2 TD game in a fairly easy match-up. Walker and Mixon don’t have great match-ups, but they have all the usage you are looking for. If they end up adding a couple of TDs, you could be in a great spot.
Wide Receivers:
- A.J. Brown
- Tyreek Hill
- Cooper Kupp
- Ja’Marr Chase
- CeeDee Lamb
- Adam Thielen
- Jordan Addison
- Nico Collins
- Puka Nacua
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Zay Flowers
- George Pickens
- Christian Kirk
- Garrett Wilson
- Rashee Rice
- DeVonta Smith
- Calvin Ridley
- Jaylen Waddle
- Chris Olave
- Tank Dell
Sleepers: Drake London, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Courtland Sutton, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, Romeo Doubs, Marquise Brown, Tee Higgins, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks
The top tier is Brown, Hill, Kupp, Chase, and Lamb. All 5 of those receivers have the potential for 12+ targets, 10 or more catches for over 125 yards, and at least one score. From a match-up perspective, Brown is in the best spot, and really the only thing working against him is whether can he keep up this pace. Hill didn’t have a great game vs the Patriots last time, but this game could be different as NE is missing multiple key defensive starters.
As for the next tier, I think it’s a really strong group of Thielen thru Kirk. All of them have the upside and potential usage to challenge the marks of the top end, and a decent enough floor to help you still cash even if they don’t have a huge game. I don’t love the match-up for Addison, but it’s hard to deny the upside he brings. Paired with a good QB and a pass-centric offense he’s a guy that you can have as your lead WR if you went RB or TE first. Pickens and Nico Collins are also very strong options who are really only being held back due to perceptions on their young offense. We’ve seen the upside they have, and the match-ups look to be good.
Past that group there are a number of other strong options, many 2nd receivers or guys who projected as 1’s but are splitting the role. They come with a bit more risk, but it’s not exactly going to be shocking to see guys like Ridley, Smith, Waddle, and Johnson at the tops of the leaderboards. Either as a Flex option or just a good number 2 WR, there is plenty of depth to be found. Rice also stands out as a really strong option, he has played a lot better recently and is quickly becoming Mahomes 2nd option in this offense.
Tight Ends:
Sleepers: Dalton Schultz, Kyle Pitts, Jake Ferguson, Trey McBride, Darren Waller
Once again Travis Kelce stands out as the top TE on the slate and a legitimate option to go in the top couple of selections. Kelce just had this match-up 2 weeks ago, and despite being questionable all week with an injury, he went out and had 9 catches for 124 yards. For as good as Kelce has been, he honestly could even be better if we see him produce one of these 2 or 3 TD games.
Though Kelce is clearly the top TE, there are a lot of good options to potentially get in the low 20’s or challenge Kelce if he doesn’t completely break the slate. Hockenson’s usage has been Kelce-lite, and he’s definitely due some positive TD regression. Goedert has been utilized more the past few weeks, and he’s going against a Commanders’ defense that is getting simply destroyed in the secondary. Mark Andrews is a bit lower on my list because he’s so dependent on TDs and really multi-TDs at that. He’s only topped 6 targets twice this season.
Even beyond the top four, there are a number of strong TE options. Kittle was highly involved this past game with Samuel being out, and he should remain a top target option. Engram has had a good target share, but hasn’t gotten on the fantasy radar because he’s yet to catch a TD. That’s going to change and when it does he could be in the 15-20 point range. Schultz, Pitts, and Ferguson all look to be in a decent spot, need a little TD variance but if it hits it will pay off. Waller is coming off his best week, and has seen a strong target share, but I don’t love this match-up vs the Jets. Likely a big letdown spot for the Giants offense.
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